I'm in Seoul!

So I realized that it's been about a week since I last updated, and that just wasn't fair. But I can't even tell you how exhausted and drained I've been this week. It's been crazy. After Camp Fulbright ended last Sunday, I immediately left to visit my family in Seoul, and came back to Korean Language class craziness. We have our final exam this Monday! So here I am again at my family's apartment in Seoul, and I figure I'll do a text update now, and a picture update when I get back to Chuncheon (and maybe after my exam is finished...). Anyway, back to where I left off. The music lesson was probably the most successful of my 3 lessons at Camp Fulbright. Matt and I had fun and the kids were definitely engaged in the activities, which were 1) a simulated "formal" concert where I played violin and 2) an "informal" concert setting where the audience were participants in the music. I played Salut d'Amour by Edward Elgar, which apparently is what plays at every Korean wedding. Interesting. Then we had the students participate in a cup game, you know, the one that everyone does at camp, and gave the winner a pack of mentos. So that was it for Camp Fulbright, and after the closing ceremony on Saturday morning I left for Seoul. Immediately upon my arrival I was fed delicious food courtesy of my aunt and her mother-in-law, who was apparently very happy that I "look Korean." They were all also very pleased that I eat spicy Korean food. I even tried the octopus. A little chewy. Some parts of it are definitely more appetizing than others. Then the next day we drove out to Bundang to visit my 할머니, my grandmother, and ate Vietnamese food. Then, I got a cell phone! It's a really nice one. I'm very happy with it. I'll post pictures of it later :).

I had such a nice time staying with my family that I decided to come back this weekend, since I will be pretty far away once I get to Gyeongju. So here I am again. But in the meantime, I've been doing so much 공부ing (studying) and speech memorizing (I had to give a self-introduction speech a few days ago) and DARK KNIGHT SEEING! So on the whole, life is good. Korean movie theaters are cheaper and higher quality than American ones (well, maybe only cheaper outside of Seoul), but Colby was disappointed that my first experience was with an American movie...The next step is to sit through a Korean one that I won't understand at all!

We also had a very interesting talk about culture shock and our own adjustment to Korea. We talked a lot about race issues. For some reason, I found it really upsetting. I think it's because I have this terrible guilt about not knowing much about Korea, and not ever learning the language. I had so many opportunities along the way: I could have continued speaking Korean with my mother, could have really focused on my Korean classes in middle school, could have gone to another college that actually offered Korean, could have studied abroad here, etc. etc. But at this point, I realize that I need to put aside this guilt so it doesn't paralyze me in the face of learning everything I need to know. I think a certain amount will help me be motivated to continue learning, but too much won't be good for me and my year here. Our group has been told that we worry a lot more than most, and I think as of now I'm fitting right in with the norm. Hopefully I'll calm down once I settle into my situation. Don't get me wrong, though, I'm really enjoying being here and I'm looking forward to the rest of the year! I know it will be hard at some points, but I think if I try to have the most positive attitude about it, everything will go (relatively) smoothly. Worrying is something I do that can't really be avoided. I'll just try not to let it get in the way!

So later on today I'm going to get my hair done I think. I'll take pictures when it's done!

If you're bored by picture-less blog entries, I'm sorry, but I'll make up for it in the next one when I get back to home sweet home...Kangwon National University....mmmm.....(sarcasm)

(^_^)